Ranjit keeps lead, Gaurav Pratap second
By IANSThursday, March 4, 2010
PANCHKULA - Chandigarhs Ranjit Singh enjoys a one-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the Aircel-PGTI Players Championship presented by Panchkula Golf Club.
The round one leader fired a steady one under 71 on Friday to total eight under 136 for the first two days.
Gaurav Pratap Singh of Noida moved up from overnight tied fourth to second as a result of his five under 67 in round two. Gaurav, who shot the best score of the day, now has a total of seven under 137.
The cut was declared at six over 150. Fifty-nine professionals made the cut.
Ranjit Singh (65, 71) made four birdies against three bogeys to maintain his lead on the second day. Ranjit, who finished 16th on the 2009 Aircel-PGTI Order of Merit, continued to strike it well on Friday but struggled with his putting.
I just could not sink enough putts today. I left at least four putts short which were on the right line. I will need to improve on this aspect over the weekend if I want to stay in contention. However, I continued to be in good hitting form, said Ranjit.
Gaurav (70, 67) came up with an excellent 67 to be hot on Ranjits heels ahead of round three. Gaurav was on par till the fifth hole but then turned on the heat by sinking three consecutive birdies from the sixth through the eighth.
The25-year-old from the Noida Golf Course continued the good work on the back nine as he made birdie-eagle on the 11th and 12th. The eagle was the result of a 20 feet putt. His only blemish of the day was the bogey on the 17th.
Gaurav, a winner on the Aircel-PGTI in the 2009 season, said, I hit the ball really close today. I hit my three-iron approach to within two feet on the eighth. The eagle putt from 20 feet also lifted my confidence and helped me finish the day on a high.
Raju Ali Mollah of Kolkata and Sri Lankan Anura Rohana lie tied third at five under 139 while Chandigarhs Harmeet Kahlon and Toran Bikram Shahi of Nepal are joint fifth at three under 141.
Gaurav Ghei is tied 23rd at two over 146 and Mukesh Kumar is placed tied 41st at five over 149.
